This morning the pundits are quick to put forth their scenarios for what happens to the governor’s race without incumbent Matt Blunt. While Democrats were jumping for joy with the announcement of their hated nemesis stepping down, it might actually be the Republicans with the most to gain from this move.

That is because without the failing governor dragging down the party, the GOP has several possible replacements that are more popular and who would be more formidable opponents for presumptive Democratic nominee Jay Nixon. His campaign was centered on an anti-Blunt strategy based largely on the unpopular Medicaid cuts.  With his biggest issue taken away, what will Nixon do now?  Will other Democrats enter the race? What other races will open up as candidates play musical chairs?


Comments

5 Comments so far

  1. patrick on January 23, 2008 9:43 am

    Whatever prompted Baby Blunt’s abrupt withdrawal from the race is likely to taint the MOGOP for the remainder of the year.

    Anyone notice that State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, a likely Blunt primary opponent, also announced she wasn’t running? That’s not a coincidence.

  2. michael on January 23, 2008 1:08 pm

    actually, she announced she IS running for reelection as state treasurer. She did not announce that she isn’t running for Governor. Big difference.

  3. patrick on January 23, 2008 1:32 pm

    In the same press conference Steelman announced she has no intention of running for governor.

    Get the facts right, michael.

  4. Tim on January 24, 2008 12:00 am

    Jay Nixon will be the next governor, and rightfully so…

  5. Jim S on January 25, 2008 10:48 am

    What happened during the Blunt Administration won’t go away as an issue because every Republican in the state backed him up on it. This means that whoever runs against Nixon will have to justify their support for the same policies that were dragging Blunt down.

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